Neonatal Intensive Care Service

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is designed to accommodate the special needs of the critically ill neonate as well as pregnant animals at increased risk for complications and provide their babies with lifesaving critical care beginning even before birth.

The NICU is staffed by neonatologists and residents with dedicated, specially trained veterinary technicians on site around the clock.

Delivering intensive care as soon as a problem is recognized is important when caring for neonates (newborns during their first month of life) to achieve a successful outcome. Critically ill neonates, especially foals, are often admitted to the NICU in the middle of the night, receiving intensive care within hours of birth.

New Bolton Center

The Graham French Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center accommodates the needs of critically ill neonates. Specially designed stalls allow mares to have contact with their critically ill foals without disrupting the neonate’s medical care.

Special equipment:

In-stall oxygen and other medical gases

Mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure

Electrocardiography (ECG)

Capnography and pulse oximetry

Blood pressure monitors

Intravenous infusion pumps

Telemetry for fetal heart rate monitoring

Facilities to hoist and sling mares with special problems or needs during foaling

Specially designed facilities that allow for efficient administration of fluids

The neonatologist and neonatology resident are important members of the New Bolton Center team that assembles within minutes when needed to attend a difficult birth, which allows them to begin lifesaving care for the often critically ill neonate during delivery.

The team also includes members of the Sections of Reproduction (obstetricians), Emergency and Critical Care (surgeons) and Anesthesiology, as well as many other members of the hospital support staff.

Worried about your mare and her upcoming birth? New Bolton Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is designed to accommodate the needs of pregnant mares at increased risk for complications. Learn more about this special program to take care of these at-risk mares, and their foals.

If your newborn foal is experiencing serious health challenges, but does not require intensive care, the "Jump Start" package may be for you. Jump Start lets owners know the cost of care before coming to the hospital.

For 30 years, Penn Vet’s New Bolton Center has invited volunteers to assist clinicians and staff in caring for mares and foals during the busy foaling season. These “foal sitters” are vital to the NICU, making it possible to provide the highest quality of care to patients around the clock.